BUTUAN CITY – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will take part in a large-scale military exercise in Surigao City and Dinagat Islands on Oct. 20 to 25 to test the country’s readiness in responding to external security threats.
Dubbed Exercise Surigao Sentinel 2026, the activity will involve some 600 personnel and assets from the Philippine Army and its reserve command, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Navy.
This year’s exercise will carry the theme “Beyond The Strait: Converging Historical Legacy and Multi-Domain Security.”
Lt. Col. Gerard John Saldo of the Eastern Mindanao Command, together with Dinagat Islands Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr., provided details of the upcoming exercise during a media briefing here Monday afternoon.
“This exercise will involve over 600 AFP personnel from the Army, including the reserve command, the Air Force, and the Navy,” Saldo said.
He said other security agencies, including the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and Philippine Coast Guard, will also participate.
“This activity aims to test the capabilities of the AFP and the other members of the security sector in times of external security threat,” Saldo said.
On Oct. 21 and 22, Dinagat Islands will be placed under a simulated serious external threat as part of the exercise, he said.
The movement of military personnel and assets will begin Oct. 20, but officials withheld further details for security reasons.
“This briefing aims to inform the residents of Caraga Region in advance, especially in Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte, of military personnel and asset movements. Residents need not worry about this because this is part of the whole military exercise,” Saldo said.
The six-day exercise will conclude Oct. 25, coinciding with the commemoration of the Battle of Surigao Strait.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete and other senior military officials are also expected to join activities in Surigao City on Oct. 23.
Demerey expressed the provincial government’s full support for the exercise, emphasizing the importance of preparing Dinagat Islands residents for potential external security threats.
“The provincial government is allocating PHP1 million in funding for this activity this year,” Demerey said.
He added that the provincial government would provide funding for the annual conduct of simulation exercises and other security-related activities in the island province.
“We will declare the suspension of classes during the two-day exercises to prepare our school children and teachers,” Demerey said.
The Department of Education, Department of Health and Department of Social Welfare and Development will also participate, including some medical groups and associations, focusing on civilian support and psychosocial interventions, particularly for children.
“Information drives are being done now in the province to prepare the residents for this activity, especially on the implementation of a no-sail policy in areas where the exercises will be held,” Demerey said.
He said the simulation exercise would also strengthen public awareness of the government’s efforts to enhance territorial defense in collaboration with government agencies and other stakeholders. (Alexander Lopez/PNA)
